Vauxhall make bold claims around inventing the compact people carrier with the original Zafira.

Whether true or not, the introduction of the Renault Grand Scenic and Ford Grand C-MAX left the Zafira lagging behind the competition in both style and substance.

Vauxhall has slowly been catching up and with the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer the company has stepped up to the challenge again with a better quality product. A little larger, it will go head to head with the Grand C-MAX, as well as the larger S-MAX.

Clever seating

The clever Flex 7 seating system remains but it’s been upgraded to make things even more practical and adaptable. While it may carry the same name, the Tourer is available alongside the regular Zafira model as a more upmarket and premium version.

Three engines available

There’s a choice of three engines on offer, with one petrol engine and two diesel units. You also have a choice of standard six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed auto on the petrol and top diesel.

Lowest running costs will come from the lower-powered ECOflex-equipped model, with only a small performance penalty.

On the road the Zafira Tourer offers a sedate and hassle-free driving experience. Bumps and potholes are soaked up very well, although it’s not even slightly sporty.